A MAJOR search for a missing prostitute today entered its fourth week.

Fifty police officers have been involved in the hunt for Shelley Armitage, last seen on April 26.

But the detective leading the hunt for the 31-year-old insisted there was nothing to suggest she had come to harm.

Det Supt Sukhbir Singh, of West Yorkshire Police’s homicide and major enquiries team (HMET), said: “This is a missing-from-home inquiry.

“We have had no information to suggest that her disappearance is anything to do with her life as a sex worker and no information to suggest she has come to any harm.”

The detective was speaking yesterday at a press conference at the spot in Bradford where she was last seen three weeks ago.

Miss Armitage, who has worked in Huddersfield as well, was due at Bradford Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced for assaulting a police officer.

It was the second time she has failed to turn up for court since her disappearance.

Det Supt Singh said: “The fact that Shelley was due in court may explain her disappearance. We are exploring all lines of inquiry.” Miss Armitage was last seen in Bradford’s red light area on the night of April 26.

She has not claimed her benefit or used her mobile phone since she went missing.

An extensive search involving 50 police officers has been carried out in Bradford and inquiries have taken place in Huddersfield.

“Shelley has quite a chaotic lifestyle,” Det Supt Singh said.

“She is a sex worker and has drug and alcohol issues.

“But she also has a family and friends who care about her and want to know she is safe.”

He said she had gone missing before and added: “I am appealing for anyone who does have information to contact us. Our primary concern is Shelley’s safe return.”

Anyone with information should call West Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111, or text 07786200805.

The 31-year-old, of Bentcliffe Walk, Allerton, Bradford, was due to be sentenced alongside her partner Craig Preston yesterday after an incident in the city last April.

Detectives have released CCTV footage of Miss Armitage’s last known movements and they say it is out of character for her to have disappeared like this.

The court heard that drink-driver Preston was seen driving an Audi erratically and when a passing patrol officer approached the vehicle Miss Armitage, who was a passenger in the car, became involved in an argument with the police constable.

Miss Armitage failed to attend Bradford Crown Court for a sentence hearing following an assault on a police officer last year. The 31-year-old, of Bentcliffe Walk, Allerton, Bradford, was due to be sentenced alongside her partner Craig Preston yesterday after an incident in the city last April.

Prosecutor Jonathan Devlin said both Preston and Miss Armitage assaulted the male officer who suffered scratches to his neck and face.

Preston admitted charges of assault, driving while over the prescribed limit and having no insurance.

The court heard he was almost three times the alcohol limit when he was breath-tested.

Judge John Potter sentenced Preston to a two-year community order with a requirement for two years’ supervision and said he had taken account of the exceptional circumstances he found himself in at the present time.

“Had that mitigation not been available to you I would have sent you to prison,” he told a tearful Preston.